WSTA hits back at mis-labelling of wine claims

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has hit back against claims that wine is mis-labelled and full of artificial flavourings and additives to mimic the tatste of grapes.

Journalist Jane Moore investigated just what goes into a bottle of wine for Dispatches​ on Channel 4 last night.

She claimed that producers use artificial flavourings and add oak chips to wines that have never seen a barrel but only list ingredients as sulphates on the label. She said that 60 wine producers are facing court later this year accused of trying to disguise low quality grapes with an excessive amount of sugar.

But the WSTA has defended wine labelling and insists more than enough is already being done.

"The winemaking process is governed by strict regulations designed to ensure products meet stringent health and safety standards," said WSTA chief executive Jeremy Beadles.

"Winemaking has always involved the use of certain additives to ensure consumers enjoy a consistent high quality product.

"There is no secret — EU regulations spell out the ingredients permitted for use and the amounts allowed. If any producer is found to have breached these regulations we fully support action by the authorities.

"The precise combination of ingredients used in the winemaking process varies because no two batches of grapes are the same. This variance and the need to translate materials into 27 languages to satisfy EU single market requirements mean precise labelling for wine covering full ingredients would be massively expensive.

"In fact the cost is estimated at one billion Euros over three years. This cost would have to be borne by consumers or by producers. The reality is that many smaller producers would stop selling products in smaller markets. Consumer choice would be diminished.

He added: "That is why the WSTA and other European bodies representing the wine industry argue that wine makers be excluded from listing full ingredients on labels."